Will he run for governor? Speculation swirls around Abbott

AUSTIN - Attorney General Greg Abbott doesn't want to talk about whether he is running for governor, but he is in overdrive on all the issues that make him a leading contender for the Republican nod, even if Gov. Rick Perry runs for re-election.

Abortion? The stalwart abortion opponent appeared with Perry at Saturday's Rally for Life at the Capitol, proclaiming, "I believe the evidence shows that Texas is the most pro-life state in the United States of America."

Guns? Abbott got national attention with an Internet ad inviting New Yorkers tired of pesky gun laws to come on down to Texas.

President Barack Obama? Abbott is quick to tout the numerous lawsuits his agency has filed against the federal government over everything from environmental regulation to health care.

Campaign cash? The latest finance reports created a buzz when they showed Abbott sitting on an $18 million war chest, collected over years, to $6 million for Perry, although their fundraising in the past six months was much closer - $4.1 million by Abbott to nearly $3.6 million raised by Perry.

Both have drawn on many of the same heavy-hitting donors, meaning their backers could find a contested primary for governor an expensive proposition. They'll either dig deep to support both or risk betting on the wrong candidate in what would be a Republican battle of the giants.

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Perry, who is leaving the door open to a re-election run in 2014 and another White House bid in 2016, plans to disclose his intentions in June, after the regular legislative session ends. Despite the battering from his failed presidential campaign, experts see him as a strong force if he runs for re-election, with a track record that indicates he could quickly ramp up his fundraising.

Working against him is that embarrassing presidential race, possible GOP fatigue at the prospect of another four years of Perry - who has held the office since late 2000 - and the chance of a candidacy by Abbott, whose supporters cite his appeal to a broad spectrum of the GOP.

Abbott, who also has said he would evaluate his position in June, turned down an interview request on his plans.

'Close allies'

At Saturday's rally, Perry hugged Abbott around the neck after being introduced by the attorney general and the two praised each other in their speeches. Abbott, asked about their friendly actions, said, "We're always friendly, because we're close allies and fellow soldiers in our effort to keep Texas No. 1."

The speculation nevertheless swirls.

"I see an aggressive, ambitious officeholder who looks like he's trying to build momentum for a run for another office," said lobbyist Bill Miller when asked about Abbott. "I would guess that that office would be the governor of Texas."

Miller is co-founder of HillCo Partners, whose political action committee last year gave $40,000 to Abbott and $38,838 to Perry.

"I like them both," he said. "If they asked me what I thought, I would say to each of them, 'I hope you guys don't run against each other, but you know what? You guys do what you've got to do.'"

There are some who say Miller's hope will be realized.

"Everything is pure speculation until this summer, but I can envision virtually no scenario where Governor Perry and Attorney General Abbott face off against each other," said lobbyist Ray Sullivan, Perry's former gubernatorial chief of staff and his former presidential campaign communications director.

Sullivan cited the men's friendship, similar philosophies and partnership on policy.

Some think Perry will decide not to run; others say that if Perry runs, Abbott will aim instead for lieutenant governor.

"There are a myriad of possibilities," Sullivan said.

What major donors decide will be key, said Rice University political scientist Mark Jones, who suggested they might think it's better for the party's future to ease out Perry.

"If you run Perry for governor in 2014, you are handing Texas Democrats something to campaign against and mobilize around, and generate a lot of support both locally as well as nationally for," Jones said.

Democratic rivals?

Among those mentioned as potential Democratic candidates have been San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, who has repeatedly said he is not interested in a 2014 race, and state Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth, who just drew a two-year term, making a statewide race tougher than if she had drawn for four-years.

"It's far too early to have political conversations like that," said Davis, saying she is focused on her district.

But, she added, "Is an opportunity there for a Democrat? Probably. I've heard from a lot of independents and some Republicans who just don't like the extreme partisanship that they are hearing from Governor Perry and from Attorney General Abbott."